IMPERIAL Jove, who, with wonderful art, Was one of those suitors that always prevail, Once made an assault on so flinty a heart That he feared for a while he was destined to fail. A beautiful maiden, Miss Danae by name, The Olympian lover endeavored to win; But she peeped from the casement whenever he came, Exclaiming, "You're handsome, but cannot come in!" With sweet adulation he tickled her ear; But still at her window she quietly sat, And said, though his speeches were pleasant to hear, She'd always been used to such homage as that! Then he spoke, in a fervid and rapturous strain, Of a bosom consuming with burning desire; But his eloquent pleading was wholly in vain, -- She thought it imprudent to meddle with fire! Then he begged her in mercy to pity his case, And spoke of his dreadfully painful condition; But the lady replied, with a sorrowful face, She was only a maiden, and not a physician! In vain with these cunning conventional snares, To win her the gallant Lothario strove; In spite of his smiles, and his tears, and his prayers, She could n't, she would n't, be courted by Jove! At last he contrived, -- so the story is told, -- By some means or other, one evening, to pour Plump into her apron a shower of gold, Which opened her heart, -- and unbolted her door! MORAL. Hence suitors may learn in matters of love 'T is idle in manners or merit to trust; The only sure way is to imitate Jove, -- Just open your purse, and come down with the dust. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THIRTY EIGHT. ADDRESSED TO MRS. H -- Y. by CHARLOTTE SMITH OF MAN'S MORTALITY by SIMON WASTELL THE WIRES by ALEXANDER ANDERSON SONG: 2 by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD A ROSE by CHARLES GRANGER BLANDEN THE HEATHER ON FIRE by MATHILDE BLIND ASOLANDO: BAD DREAMS by ROBERT BROWNING |